Miniature novelty shoes



Aug 5 w52 R. F. WELLS 2,606,105

MINIATURE NOVELTY SHOES 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed Deo. 5, 1948 IN VEN TOR.

TTOR/VE 95 ug. 5, 1952 R F WELLS 2,606,105

MINIATURE NOVELTY SHOES Filed Dec. 5, 1948 2 sHEETs--SHEET 2 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Aug. 5, 1952 UNITED-'STATES PA'iiaN-T` OFFICE MINIATRE NOVELTY sHoEs- Robert F.2Wells, Decatur, Ga. Y Application December 3, 1948, Serial No; 63,391

1 The present invention relates to yimprovements in miniature novelty shoes and has for an object to provide shoes of this kind that will be as nearly as possible exact replicas of old shoes which have been subjected to considerable wear. 1

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel ornament in the form of miniature shoes which canv` be displayed on mantles, whatnots and the lik'ein houses'and hotels.

A further object nof the present inventionv is 'to provide an Yimprov-ed ornamental device in which various stylesofshoes and color combinations can be produced so as to. impart a pleasing effect and create an interest among lpersons wh make a hobby ofv collecting miniatures. I

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved structure which permits of the shoes Vbeing made in a plurality of pieces to facilitate the molding, stamping, .coating and nishing. x f

With the foregoing and other objects in view,

the invention will 'be hereinafter more fully dev scribed` and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. r I

In the drawings, in which the same parts aredenoted by the same reference numerals throughout the several views,

Figure l is a sideelevational view of. an improved miniature shoe constructedA inaccordance with the presentinvention, y

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the shoe shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View on the line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional View on the line 4-7-4 of Figure 2,V i

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modied form of the invention,

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 6--6 of Figure 5,*

Figure 7 is afragrnentary perspective view of the form o f the invention shown in Figure 5,

Figure 8 is a .longitudinal sectional view of another modied `form of the invention,

Figure 9 is abottom plan viewof the quarter sections showing the means for connecting the sections,

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional View of another modified form of the invention,

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line I I-I I of Figure 10, and

Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectionall view of another modication of the improved shoe.

Referring more particularlyv to the drawings and especially to Figures l to 4, inclusive, I9

s claims. (o1. fsf-+101) represents the toe portion ofthe sole of'the miniature shoe fand `II the shank portion thereof. The toe and shank portions of the sole can performed integral. and `a heel .I2 `can also be made in one piece with the sole sections, The toe portion 1 IIJ has an upstanding hexagonally Ishaped abutment I3 intermediate its side edges and spaced rearwardly a short distance from its forward edge. Ihe walls I4 of the abutment I3 incline upwardly'and vinwardly from its base'Y at an angle ofthe order of 45 degrees'to its base. A toe section I5 of the upper of the shoe has a recess I6 'opening `through its rear wall which has'a shape corresponding' to `that of the forward half 4of the Aabutmenty I3`which it receives and rests'upon. f p

A vamp section I 1 vof the upper of the shoe has a recessu I8 having a shape corresponding to the vrearhalf portion ofthe abutment I3 which it"receive s. The vampA section -I1 is supported bythe' toe portion I0 and the shank'por- 'tion 'AI'I` and has 'a series` oftransversely spaced apart verticallyextending sockets I9 opening through its Lbottom surface for the reception of solder or thelike2 which joins the vamp section I 'l t0 thertoe portion I0. Y rIfhe rear portion of' the upper surface of the vamp section I1 has a well 2I formed'therein and the intermediate portion of the rear wall of the vamp section is cut away as at 22 to provide a notch. The rear portion of the shank II and the'forward portion of ,the heel I2 intermediate their side edgeshave an' upstanding pentagonally shaped boss 23 the forward portion of which is received by the notch 22 of the vamp section I1. A counter section 24 has a substantially nat yhottom for eng-agement with the upper flat portion of the heel I2' and the intermediate forward portion of the bottom of the counter 24 has a recess 25 which is shaped substantially the same as the boss'23 to receive the rear portion of the boss23. l

'I The upper `f orward sidevedge portions of the counter 24 curve forwardly and downwardly as at 26 vand the portion of the counter 24 between the curved portions 26 curves upwardly and rearwardly to forman intermediate rib 21 which is raised above thefcurved portions 26 and merges with a round stud V28 extending upwardly from the middlerarea ofthe Aupper surface of the counter. 1 'I'he stud 28 is 'partially received by a semi-circularrecess 29 in'aquarter section 30 of theV upper of the shoe. Rearwardly of the recess 29 the bottom'I surface of the quarter section 30 has a longitudinally extending groove 3| which receives a ridge 32 on the upper surface of the counter 24. The ridge 32 extends rearwardly from the base of the stud 28 to the edge of the rear wall of the counter 24.

The quarter section 30 has a vertically extending passageway 33 located substantially centrally thereof. The lower forward portions of the side walls of the passageway 33 are curved downwardly and forwardly as at 34 to correspond with the curved portions 26 of the counter section 24 with which they interfit.` The lower intermediate surface of the quarter section has a depression 35 which forms a continuation of the recess 25 of the counter section 24. The depression 35 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the intermediate shape of the boss 23 whichr it receives.

A cavity 36 is provided in the forward portion of the lower surface of the quarter 30 and registers with the well 2| and the cavity 36 and the well 2| are adapted to receive solder or the like for holding the quarter and the vamp sections together. The quarter section has an opening 31 and the adjacent edges of the quarter section are provided with eyelets 3B. The lower edges 39 of the intermediate portions of the quarter 30 are substantially straight and rest upon the shank portion of the sole. The vamp section |1 has creases 40 which simulate the creases in a shoe which has had considerable wear. The lines of juncture 4| between the various sections of the upper of the shoe simulate the lines of juncture of the various corresponding parts of a real shoe. VThe miniature shoe described above can be made of silver or various types of metal and plastic. The different parts of the shoe can be joined together by soldering, gluing or in the case of plastics some solvent, such as acetone. can be used.

Figures 5. 6 and 7 show a modified form of the invention in which 42 indicates the toe portion and 43 the heelportion of the vsole joined by a shank portion 44.-` These portions can be made integral. The toe portion 42 has an upstanding abutment 45, which is similar in shape and construction to the abutment I3 shown in Figures 1 to 4. inclusive. A combined toe and vamp section 46 of the upper of the shoe has a recess 41 in the bottom surface thereof. The recess 41 is of substantially the same shape as the abutment 45 which it receives.

'Ihe upper surface of the heel portion 43 has an upstanding boss 48 which is of the same shape as the boss 23fillustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. A counter section 49 has a recess 58 opening through its lower surface. `The recess 50 corresponds inshape to the boss 48 of the heel 43 and receives the boss 46 therein. A tongue 5| extends upwardly from the combined toe and vamp section 46. A back 52 extends upwardly from the upper rear portion of the counter 49 in spaced apart relation to the tongue to provide a space 53 therebetween. A quarter section 54 engages one side of the tongue 5| and back 52.

The lower edge of the rear portion of the quarter section 54 extends forwardly and is curved downwardly as at 55 to engage correspondingly shaped edges 56 of the counter section 49. The intermediate lower edge portion of the quarter 54 is substantially V-shaped 51 and is received by a correspondingly shaped space 58 between the counter 49 and the combined toe and vamp section 46. The forward portion of the lower edge of the quarter 54 is curved upwardly and forwardly as at 59 to be received by a correspondingly shaped edge 60 of the vamp of the shoe. A protuberance 6| is formed on the inner surface quarter section 54 and is received by the space 53.

A quarter section 62 similar in construction and shape to the quarter section 54 engages the opposite side of the tongue 5| and the back 52. A protuberance is formed on the inner surface quarter section 62 and is received by the space 53. The protuberances 6| and 63 of the quarter section 54 and 62, respectively, engage the forward face of the back 52. 'The combined toe and vamp section 46 and the quarter sections 54 and 62 have creases 64 which simulate the creases in a shoe having had considerable wear. The lines of juncture 65 between the various sections of the upper of the shoe simulate lines of juncture Y of the various corresponding parts of a real shoe.

The quarter sections 54 and 62 have eyelets 66.

Another modification is shown in Figure 8 in which 61 indicates the toe portion and 68 the heelportion joined together by the shank portion 69. The toe portion has an upstanding abutment 10 which is similar in shape and construction to the abutment |3 shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. 'I'he abutment 10 is received by a correspondingly shaped recess 1| which is formed in the lower surface of a combined toe and vamp section 12 of the upper of the shoe.

The upper surface of the heel 68 has an upstanding boss 13 which is of the same shape as the boss 23 illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. The counter section 14 has a recess 15 opening through its lower surface. The recess 15 corresponds in shape tothe boss 13 of the heel 68 and receives the boss 13 therein. A tongue 16 extends upwardly from the combined toe and vamp section 12. A back 11 extends upwardly from the upper rear portion of the counter 14 in spaced apart relation tothe tongue 16 to provide a space 18 therebetween.

In this modification the quarter sections 19 which are similar in construction and arrangement to the quarter sections 54 and 62, are joined together by solder 89. The solder is located forwardly of the `rear edges of the quarter sections 19 yto yprovide a groove 8| which receives the back 11.

A further modification is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 in which 82 indicates a toe portion and 83 a heel portion of the sole joined together by a shank portion 84. The toe portion has an upstanding abutment 85 which is similar in shape and construction to the abutment |3 shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. The abutment 85 is received by a correspondingly shaped recess 86 which is formed in the lower surface of a combined toe and vamp section 81 of the upper of the shoe. The upper surface of the heel portion 83 has an upstanding boss 88 which is of the same shape as the boss 23 illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. The counter section 89 has a recess 90 opening through its lower surface. The recess 90 corresponds in shape to the boss 88 of the heel 83 and receives the boss'88 therein. A tongue 9| extends upwardly from the combined toe and vamp section 81. A quarter section 92 has lower rear wall portions which curve forwardly and downwardly as at 93 to be seated upon correspondingly curved upper walls 94. The forward portions of thelower walls of the quarter section 92 are inclined upwardly and forwardly as at 95 to be received by correspondingly shaped walls 96 of the combined toe and vamp section 81. The intermediate portions 91 project downwardly to be received by spaces between the counter 03 and the combined toe and vamp section 81.

' The quarter section 92 has an opening 99 for the reception of Vsolder to secure the quarter 92 to the counter 89. 'Ihe forward portion |00 of the wall which surrounds the opening 99 engages the rear wallof the tongue 9|. The front of the quarter section is separated as indicated at and the inner faces ofthe adjacent edges of the quarter section 92 engage the forward wall'of the tongue 9|. The edges of the quarter section 92 are provided with eyelets |02. i

A still further modification is illustrated in Figurev 12 in which |03 -indicates a toe portion and |04 a heel portion of the sole joined together by a shank portion |05. The toe portion has an upstanding abutment |06 which is similar in shape and construction tothe abutment |3 shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. The abutment4 |06 is received by a correspondingly shaped recess |01 which is formed in the lower surface lof* a combined toe and vamp section |08 of the upper of the shoe. The upper surface of the' heel portion |04 has an upstanding boss |09 which is of the same shape as the boss 23 illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. The combined quarter and counter section ||0 has a recess'l opening through its lower surface. The recess corresponds in shape to the boss |09 of the heel|04 and receives the boss |09 therein. A tongue ||2 extends upwardly from the combined toe and vamp section |08 which receives the forward portion of the combined quarter and counter section ||0. The lower edges ||3 of the walls of the combined quarter and counter section are substantially flat throughout their major portion and rest upon the upper surface of the heel and shank portions of the sole. The lower edges ||4 of the forward portion of the walls of the combined quarter and counter section are inclined upwardly and forwardly to be received by correspondingly shaped portions |15 of the combined toe and vamp section |08. The combined quarter and counter section |l0 is provided with eyelets H6.

In assembling the different modifications described above it will be noted that in all the forms of the invention the sole of the shoe is provided with an abutment and the heel has formed thereon a boss which are received by correspondingly shaped recesses provided in the upper of the shoe. When the various parts of the shoe are made out of metal they may be soldered together and when the various sections of the shoe are made of plastics a solvent, such as acetone, can be employed for joining the sections.

The sole and heel is the foundation of the shoe and the abutment and boss carried respectively thereby assure that the upper parts of the shoe will be guided into their proper places to furnish what appears to be a one piece shoe. The parts of the various modifications are constructed to receive or be received by another part. All of the parts can be made by a two piece mold except the one piece quarter section 19 illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings. This would require the use of a four or five piece mold.

The shoe is made in a number of parts for the following reasons: (1) to give a clear and distinct line of demarcation between one part of the shoe and other parts; (2) to follow the lines and seams of the leather shoe and give it a more natural appearance; (3) to remove undercuts and irregular lines, thus permitting removals from molds or castings Without distortion of mold; (4) to permit manufacture of two or three tone shoes and by changing colors or by bronzing or branding, a variety of' shces'can be made from one set of molds;` and (5) permits finer lines ofworkmanship and proper polishing and finishing (asin tongue). f D

An additional advantage'to be derived from making the shoes vin different pieces instead of in one pieceis that in the sole the fine corrugated lines ||6 around the edge of the sole can be madel with greater facility. 1' f l In addition to the abutments and bosses of the sole of the shoe acting as guides and centering members in the assembling of the various parts of the shoethe tongue of theimodications shown in Figures 5 to 12, inc1usive,"s'erves in the ldual capacityof a centering and guiding member and also serves as the tongueof the nished shoe. This tongue simulates the tongue'of a real shoe.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction 4and designV of the above specifically described embodiment'of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof. such changes and modiiications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims.

What I claim 'Q ff 1.1 A'miniaturenovelty shoe comprising a sole havingtoe and shankf'portions, a heel at the rear end of the shank portion," an' abutment upstanding from the toe Portion,` any uppe'rjtoe section having in-its rearf'w'all afrec'less corresponding and fitted to the forward portionof said abutment, a vamp having a Vrecess in its forward portion fitted to the rear part of said abutment, a boss upstanding from the heel and shank, a counter on the heel having' arecess to fit a portion of said boss, said counter having an upstanding rib and a stud projecting above the rib at the rear portion of the counter, and a quarter section having a recess to vpartially receive the stud and a depression to receive the forward part of said boss.

2. A shoe as claimed in claim 1 characterized by the fact that portions of the quarter section iit between the vamp and theboss and against the shank. Y

3. A shoe as claimed in claim 1 in which a cavity in the forward portion of the lower surface of the quarter is disposed opposite a well of the vamp, and a body of solder occupies the space between the cavity and well.

4. A shoe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rib curves forwardly and downwardly and terminates back of the forward end of the boss, and such forward end of the boss also curves forwardly and downwardly to the shank back of the vamp.

5. A shoe as claimed in claim 1 in which the rear recess of the quarter is substantially semicircular.

6. A miniature novelty shoe comprising a sole having toe and shank portions, a heel at the rear end of the shank portion, an abutment upstanding from the toe portion, intermediate the side edges thereof and spaced rearwardly from the forward edge thereof, said abutment being of elongated hexagonal shape and having its major axis extending longitudinally of said sole, the side walls of said abutment being inclined upwardly and inwardly from the base of the abutment, an upper toe section having in its rear wall a recess corresponding and fitted to the substantially forward half part of said abutment, a vamp having a recess in its forward portion fitted to the substantially rear half part of said abut- 4portion of said boss, said counter lhaving an upstanding rib and a stud projecting above the rib at the rear portion of the counter, and a. quarter section having a recess to partially receive the stud and a depression to receive the forward part of said boss.

'7. A miniature novelty shoe comprising a sole having toe and shank portions, a heel at the rear end of the shank portion, an abutment upstanding from the toe portion, intermediate the side edges thereof and spaced rearwardly from the forward edge thereof, said abutment being of elongated hexagonal shape and having its major axis extending longitudinally of said sole, the side walls of said abutment being inclined upwardly and inwardly from the base of the abutment, an upper toe section having in its rear wall a recess corresponding and fitted to the substantially forward half part of said abutment, a vamp having a recess in its forward portion* tted to the substantially rear half part of said abutment, a boss upstanding from the heel and shank, said boss being of elongated pentagonal shape and having its major axis extending longitudinally of said heel and shank, a counteron-the heel having a recess to fit a portion of said boss, said counter having an upstanding rib and a s'tud projecting abovethe rib at the rear portion of the counter, and a quarter section having a recess to partially receive the stud and a depression corresponding in shape to the forward part of said boss and adapted to receive the forward part of said boss. l

8. A miniature novelty shoe comprising a sole having toe and shank portions, a heel at the rear end of the shank portion, an abutment upstanding from the toe portion, intermediate the side 8. edges thereof and spaced rearwardly from the forward edge thereof, Vsaid abutment being of elongated'hexagonal shape and having its major axis extending longitudinally of said sole, the

side walls of said abutment being inclined upwardly and inwardly from the base of the abutment, an upper toe section having in its rear wail a recess corresponding and fitted to the substantially forward half part of said abutment, avamp having a recess in its forward portion fitted to the substantially rear half part of said abutment, a boss upstanding from the heel and shank, a counter on the heel having a recess to fit a portion of said boss, said counter having an upstanding rib and a stud projecting above the rib at the rear portion of the counter, and a quarter section having a recess to partially receive the stud and a depression to receive the forward part of said boss, said counter having an upstanding ridge on its upper surface extending rearwardly from the base of the stud to the edge of the rear wall of the counter, said quarter section having a groove for receiving said ridge.

f ROBERT F. WELLS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 272,143 Markie Feb. 13, 1883 410,528 Koopman Sept. 3, 1889 727,258 Bailey May 5, 1903 1,211,590 Kennedy Jan. 9, 1917 1,546,024 Reichenbach July 14, 1925 1,840,507 Hanks Jan. 12, 1932 2,398,011 Kaplan Apr. 9, 1946 

1. A MINIATURE NOVELTY SHOE COMPRISING A SOLE HAVING TOE AND SHANK PORTIONS, A HEEL AT THE REAR END OF THE SHANK PORTION, AN ABUTMENT UPSTANDING FROM THE TOE PORTION, AN UPPER TOE SECTION HAVING IN ITS REAR WALL A RECESS CORRESPONDING AND FITTED TO THE FORWARD PORTION OF SAID ABUTMENT, A VAMP HAVING A RECESS IN ITS FORWARD PORTION FITTED TO THE REAR PART OF SAID ABUTMENT, A BOSS UPSTANDING FROM THE HEEL AND SHANK, A COUNTER ON THE HEEL HAVING A RECESS TO FIT A PORTION OF SAID BOSS, SAID COUNTER HAVING AN UPSTANDING RIB AND A STUD PROJECTING ABOVE THE RIB AT THE REAR PORTION OF THE COUNTER, AND A QUARTER SECTION HAVING A RECESS TO PARTIALLY RECEIVE THE STUD AND A DEPRESSION TO RECEIVE THE FORWARD PART OF SAID BOSS. 